Razorback senior John Daly II has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 USGA U.S. Amateur Championship after winning two matches at the Olympic Club – Lake Course in San Francisco.
Daly defeated Nate Smith 2&1 in the round of 32 and Daniel Bennett 3&2 in the round of 16. With these victories, Daly becomes the first Razorback to reach the U.S. Amateur quarterfinal since David Lingmerth in 2009.
In his morning match against Smith, Daly overcame an early deficit. Smith took a lead by winning the opening hole, but Daly tied it on the third. Smith then won holes four and six for a two-hole advantage. Daly responded by winning holes eight, ten, and twelve to go one up. After Smith tied it again at hole fourteen, Daly birdied fifteen and sixteen for a two-up lead and closed out the match as both players birdied seventeen.
Later in the day, Daly faced Texas Longhorn sophomore Daniel Bennett, who is ranked #27 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and was named National Freshman of the Year. Daly took an early lead with a par on hole one and extended it by winning holes five, seven, and nine. Although Bennett cut into that lead with a birdie on ten and later won thirteen with a par, Daly maintained control by tying each of the final three holes to secure victory.
Daly will play Mason Howell in Friday’s quarterfinals.
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